Polk, Apple intro iTunes Tagging on HD Radio

updated 03:20 pm EDT, Thu September 6, 2007

by MacNN Staff

Polk iSonic and iTunes Tag

Polk Audio today introduced the i-Sonic ES2, the second generation of its hybrid digital radio and iPod dock. The new device introduces a new feature in collaboration with Apple known as iTunes Tagging. Songs properly marked on HD Radio stations can be tagged by the radio and have the information sent to a docked iPod; when the iPod returns to its home Mac or PC, the tags create an automatic iTunes playlist with links to buy the songs directly from the iTunes Store. This gives audiophiles a new way to find new music and enjoy it immediately, Polk says.

No mention was made of which iPods would explicitly support the new feature, or whether iTunes Tagging would allow the iPod touch to flag and buy the songs itself through the upcoming iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. Apple itself has not formally announced the tagging feature.

In line with the earlier i-Sonic, the device emphasizes sound quality with speakers that output audio in 360 degrees and with porting that enhances bass response. The dock will pipe video on fifth-generation iPods or newer through RCA and S-video connections and includes its own dual alarm clock that wakes up users to the radio or an iPod's songs. Headphone and auxiliary input connections are onboard the ES2, which should ship in October for $499.

I use the Grouping area to tag my music with keywords, then just make smart playlists to search for that. Nice and easy, and it let's me catalog better organize my albums from singles, live albums, greatest hit compilations, holiday music, etc.

It's all a marketing game. Very few people can easily discern the difference between a well-made AAC file and the original, and even fewer find the difference to be significant enough that they would refuse to use AAC or mp3 files at all. But it's ridiculous to claim that any device can produce "audiophile" quality from such files, unless they are using the word in a more generic (read: bullsh|t) sense to simply mean "someone who loves music".

The online music service smstunes.com already have this service for most popular US based FM radio stations (no HD), you just need to send a text message with the station frequency, not as easily as pressing a button but still can be useful, more details here:

http://www.smstunes.com/radio.aspx

Login Here

Now AAPL Stock: The symbol you provided ("AAPL") doesn't appear to be registered

Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Share

Developer628d

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]

Share

628d

Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera

Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Share

Industry628d

Apple employees testing wheelchair features

New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

Share

Troubleshooting628d

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards

SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Share

Upgrades/storage628d

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26

Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Share

Investor629d

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users

Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE